John 3:9-10 - Mysterious Regeneration

John 3:9-10 

9 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?

Message: Mysterious Regeneration

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: As I have been looking at this passage, what has stood out is the Work of the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirt, in awakening people to regeneration. We do not see this with our eyes. We only see the outcome of this in what a person says and acts. The Spirit is also likened to the blowing (invisible) wind. 

Some churches teach baptismal regeneration or that baptism is needed for salvation. But if the Spirit's work is invisible, how can we say that the personal act of baptism will regenerate a person? Baptism seems to be more a picture of the cleansing and renewal that occur in regeneration. It is necessary, but I don't think it is salvific. But let me study more.  

Going back to verse 5, what does it mean when Jesus says, "I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit?" In verse 9, Nicodemus asks, "How can these things be?" Verses 5 - 8 are recorded within quotes and as one complete quote and thought by Jesus. It starts with verse 5 and then also includes mentioning the contrast of water/Spirit and born of flesh, but most of the discourse of these verses is regarding the Spirit. And yet, with Nicodemus response of "How can these things be?" we wonder if he is also mentioning the idea of being 'born of water' in verse 5. As such, the challenge here is to determine what meaning was trying to be conveyed by Jesus here. 

[Note: Looking now at commentaries.] John has already been mentioned and so baptism seems to already be apparent. In the Tabletalk reading of today, the writer mentions that Christian baptism has not been instituted yet. That statement seems odd but maybe 'John the Baptist baptism' and 'Christian baptism' are different. And yet John made the statement that while he baptized with water, Jesus would come and baptize with the Spirit (John 1:26, 1:33). And so this must have been in the mind of Nicodemus when he said, "How can these things be?" 

Perhaps what is occurring is a combination now: water and Spirit. Jesus is recorded as saying in Mark 16:16, "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved, but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." I think some have argued that since Jesus stated condemnation does not include baptism that somehow baptism is important for salvation. Not sure about that. It seems clear as I have discussed that the heart must be changed by the Spirit. 

Ezekiel 26:25-27 is an interesting set of verses running parallel to this:

25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

This is a great set of verses and has become one of my favorites since seeing the movie, "The Case for Christ" when I first realized verse 26 as it was a verse the wife was encouraged to pray over her husband, Lee Strobel, for his salvation. And it is a verse I have since echoed often for my youngest son. 

It is a fascinating set of verses declared by the Lord (as stated in verse 16). He says that after giving his wrath to them, in coming out of the land, he declares his name above the nations by saving and setting apart these people. He saves people. Why? To make His name great (v. 23). It speaks of being sprinkled which introduces another idea in the water baptism realm. But with the clean water the person is clean. The Lord will give a new heart and put a new spirit in them. And put His Spirit in them and cause them to walk in His statutes and they will carefully observe ordinances. Some may say this was only meant for Israel at this one time, but that seems odd to say that for God to act differently from one people group to another.  

Numbers 19:19-20 is another interesting verse because it shows similar words of washing that was needed by the Jews, and thus needed to be clean, to even appear before God in the tabernacle or temple: 19 Then the clean person shall sprinkle on the unclean on the third day and on the seventh day; and on the seventh day he shall purify him from uncleanness, and he shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and shall be clean by evening. 20 ‘But the man who is unclean and does not purify himself from uncleanness, that person shall be cut off from the midst of the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the Lord; the water for impurity has not been sprinkled on him, he is unclean.

Yet, Matthew Poole in his commentary writes this, "Thus our Saviour plainly instructs Nicodemus of the absolute necessity of an inward spiritual change and renovation, thereby showing the inefficacy of all the legal washings and sprinklings, that could not purify and make white one soul, which were of high valuation among the Jews."

It is puzzling, was the water symbolic or supposed to be used towards salvation? It is crazy, but I continue to study these passages and continue to walk away unsure. One thing I know of is I can't go wrong being baptized. Both Ezekiel and Numbers speak of water to clean, but perhaps that was necessary at that time to appear before God, but now through Christ, he makes us clean. And yet does he involved water and sprinkling, bathing and so baptism? 

I return back to John 3:9-10. One thing I notice again is Jesus has explained the meaning in verse 5-8 of being born again and yet in verse 9, Nicodemus states, "Huh?" Most would say Nicodemus is a natural man, bent on good deeds salvation, and so doesn't understand. Possibly. Maybe the Spirit needs to awaken in him the understanding and before that happens he doesn't understand. 

In verse 10, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus and wonders of the one that teaches, or of Nicodemus, the teacher of Israel and yet he does not understand. Jesus speaks with authority. Interesting that the word teacher that Jesus uses is the same word for teacher that Nicodemus used toward Jesus (didaskalos).

It must have been a sobering moment for Nicodemus. And maybe a reminder that even the teacher needs to be taught and has much to learn.  

Summary: Even to the Jewish leader and teacher, the things of truth can be mysterious. 

Promise: The Spirit in us is how we understand God and truth. 

Prayer: God, you know me. I continue to bounce back and forth on this subject of baptism. I can't find the comfort of knowing what is the requirement. Did you intend it mainly as a picture of the change that occurs, to show my cleansing while also believing in the need for me to be baptized and walk in the path that You and John walked? This is where I reside at the moment. And yet I hear so many others state variances to this and I struggle with it. I wish at times people were more understanding and everyone wasn't so dogmatic. Maybe my analyzing struggles to conclude an answer. Maybe I am too agreeable when people are so stern in their convictions. I am not sure, but I do see it is important. Thanks for these lessons and continuing to take me on the past of understanding. 

John 3:7-8 - Irresistible Regeneration

John 3:7-8

7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Message: Irresistible Regeneration

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: As stated yesterday, Jesus is being emphatic and this phrase "You must be born again" is a phrase that I have heard repeated, though less often it would seem in the last 10 years. But it was strong in its emphasis. I think it is a phrase that we must continue to put out there and mention to people. 

It is interesting that the word "You" in "You must be born again" is plural. So it means not only Nicodemus but everyone. 

Yesterday in the lesson I was pondering my conversion and realizing that at the point of my prayer something had already occurred. This being born again seems to be about the Spirit working in and then what follows is us believing. "We are saved by grace through faith."  Again, the Spirit gets a hold of us and changes our being to make us susceptible to the truth and then we believe and have faith. And we are saved. Romans 8:8 says, "Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." And so there needs to be a transformation in us that is away from the flesh. So again, it is the Spirit that changes us.

And so this means that those who are in the Spirit are pleasing to God.

Verse 8 is an amazing presentation of the Spirit of God and how it works - Like the Wind. It cannot be explained. We see the result in each other but we don't know how it occurs.

I admit it is easy to be discouraged by this. It can be discouraging at times to stare at results or the lack thereof. Even in my ministry role that I am in and the toil of talking to people and replying to people about the truth of God, over and over and often not seeing the results. I suppose it is normal to struggle not getting outcomes. And yet I also know nothing I do is a waste of time or effort (I Corinthians 15:58).

Granted, I am thankful for me, where I am at, and what I have, but it is a struggle at times to be this remnant and for the world to be in so much opposition to truth. But this is why the lesson is titled, "Irresistible" because if you are chosen you can't refuse. 

Summary: The Spirit moves in us to be born again, and we believe then, which pleases God. 

Promise: The point is that the Spirit can and will finally overcome all resistance to the truth in those whom God has chosen for salvation.

Prayer: O God, I am forever grateful by your forever mercy towards me. It is indeed amazing and I am indeed blessed. Help me to not get discouraged. Perhaps I am heavy at this moment for a myriad of things in this life. Thank you for the friends I have in Christ and the people of unity in my life. I wish there were more. I wish your truth was more prevalent in life today. Revive us Lord and come Holy Spirit come. 

John 3:3-6 - Our Need for Regeneration

John 3:3-6

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

Message: Our Need for Regeneration

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: Nicodemus had come to Jesus to acknowledge to himself that this man Jesus that had come could only do signs if God had sent him. And we remember that prior to this, at the end of chapter 2 was the declaration that people were believing in Jesus because of the signs that they had seen him doing. Jesus now in verse 3 has a clarification to make to Nicodemus and others -- "Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."  Jesus is probably making one of the clearest declarations in scripture. One must be born again. 

Nicodemus is bewildered with the words. It is like he has never heard anything like this before and probably he hasn't. He rightfully doesn't understand as most persons hearing this would not understand - How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”

And so Jesus further clarifies. Jesus is not necessarily answering Nicodemus question it seems but continuing to proclaim that life is not simply about watching him do miracles and signs and then believing but one must be born again. And being born again or the process of being born again includes being born of water and the Spirit. 

It is interesting then the mention that to be born again is a change that happens by the Spirit so it is not a man-made change per se. And thus, is the idea of regeneration. I love to listen to people's testimonies because born again experiences cause a complete change in a person most of the time. There is an awakening that occurs. I'm always thinking back to when this occurred for me, at the age of 14, 3 weeks shy of my 15th birthday. As I think about it, my sense is the change had already and the date, August 10, 1982 in the afternoon in a Wendy's parking lot, was, I believe, a formality. And yet I know in those moments God awakened me to an understanding of Him and since then the light bulb has been on and the desire has been there to continue to grow in Christ. 

As I saw yesterday, Nicodemus as a Pharisee held to the idea that (1) God created the world, (2) chose Israel as His people, and (3) rewarded and punished them according to the law or their observance of the Law. Because of this, simply being a part of nation of Israel or a Jew guaranteed a person to be accepted by God for all eternity. And yet Jesus points out here that a person must be "born again." This must have been hard to hear. Will Nicodemus still think Jesus is sent from God? For now, Jesus is saying that your lineage or his progeny is not the ticket. I wonder in the Old Testament times, did the annual atonement that was made by the priests in the Temple/Tabernacle, was this for any and all Jews or was it only for a specific segment of those populations? 

I think there is still a great tendency to claim allegiance to your parents faith or grandparents as a person is born and think that is good enough. But Jesus is saying that it is one thing to born of flesh but something different to be born of the Spirit. 

Summary: To see the kingdom of God, you must be born again, by the Spirit of God. 

Promise: No one is born a Christian. 

Prayer: Father God, thank you for waking me up. And giving me new life in You, making me born again and brining me into Your kingdom. 

Genesis 17 - Baptism and Children

Genesis 17 - 10 This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you, every male among you shall be circumcised...11...it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12 And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations...14 But an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant. 

Message: Baptism and Children

Time: Genesis is the first book and Moses is credited as authoring. The book spans 2400 years of time. It was originally written in Hebrew.

What the Lord is Saying: Well, this is a lesson I have been wanting to understand for some time. I have always wondered why infants are baptized. For me, a person growing up in a very Catholic heavy state of New Mexico, USA, baptism of infants was common, but later in my life, probably just 10 years ago in discovering the Reformed church and to found out that noted scholars such as RC Sproul also signed on to and agreed with infant baptism has been startling to me. And honestly I had never really taken the time to try to understand their position. 

Today's lesson states that while this issue is controversial today or rather there is clear opposition for it, 500 years ago, at the time of the Reformation while there may have been differences in theology, Anglicans, Lutherans and Reformers all agreed that baptism can be administered to those who profess faith and their children. 

I started to understand this as I did the lesson before the last when Paul showed the similarity between circumcision and baptism. In that lesson and seeing that baptism is really the new testament circumcision it made me think that infant baptism is in line with circumcision of the past. And the first point being that if circumcision occurred both before and after a person made a belief in God then this would mean baptism, if it has a link to circumcision is a sacrament that could be administered either before or after a person is saved or regenerated. 

In today's passage, this act of circumcision was given to Israel to speak of a sign of the covenant between God and man. It was something that happened to all the members of a family chosen by God. It was not for pagans but for his chosen people or nation. I am reminded of that verse from Joshua 24:15 which ends with, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Perhaps that idea of the leader of the family making the statement that his house will serve the Lord means that children are to be included in this sign of regeneration. Acts 16:15 also records the statement, "And when she and her household had been baptized" which gives the idea that the children were included in baptism.  

Many think that if the new testament does not repeat something from the old Testament then it doesn't apply, but what if rather the Old Testament begins the standard and unless the New Testament speaks otherwise then the ways of the Old Testament remain? It is possible it would seem. 

Think about Matthew 5:17-20 -- 

17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

If Christ did not abolish the Law but fulfill it and we are not to annul its commands but rather continue to teach them. 

This is an interesting perspective. It is way different from how I have been raised and taught to think. This doesn't nullify baptism by immersion at an older age when someone is converted for the first time, but it does give the idea that baptism by a child is because the Christian household is commissioned toward Christ and it is a sign of regeneration to all. 

Summary: Baptism can include children of a believing parent to provide evidence of the sign of regeneration for the entire family. 

Promise: To baptize only those who have professed faith may run the risk of making baptism more about our response to God than about God's initiative to saving us. 

Prayer: God, thank you for continuing to teach me through Your Word and helping me better understand the meaning of your word and how it is applied, yet in many different ways by people all called by you and part of the visible church. Yet, Lord, there seems to be only one way and yet different takes on what that one way is, which seems to be normal. Help me to be one that hones in You and always affirms You as My Savior and Lord. Give me continued wisdom. Thank you for where you have placed me but also allowing me to see and understand Your Word in its different applications. Continue to confirm yourself to Me and draw Me closer to you. Show me how I am to respond. 

Acts 10:44-48 - Baptism and Time

Acts 10:44-48 - 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who save received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

Message: Baptism and Time

Time: Clearly written by Luke, this book follows the lives of Peter and then Paul after Jesus' ascension into heaven. The book was completed about 62 AD as Paul sat in prison. It provides an account of the growth of the Church and spread from Jerusalem, from a small group of frightened believers in Jerusalem transformed into an empire-wide movement of people who had committed their lives to Jesus Christ, and it should help us to be bold and have zeal in our walks with God. 

What the Lord is Saying: In these verses, my first observations are that the Holy Spirit fell upon these people and so the Holy Spirit is speaking truth. There were tongues heard and in this exalting God. And Peter orders those who have received the Holy Spirit to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. In Acts, I also notice that Peter is often the one connecting with baptism. 

In the previous lesson Paul made a connection between baptism and circumcision. The question then that just as circumcision did not save anyone, perhaps baptism is the same way. For the life of the Old Testament believer, the moment of regeneration could occur before or after the act of circumcision. Abraham believed God before circumcision while Isaac's faith came about when he was older. 

Tabletalk authors argue then that although baptism is often prescribed following a person's faith as in today's passage in Acts and we should have an urgency for people to be baptized, regeneration of the Christian can occur earlier or even after a person is baptized. 

Summary: Is baptism a new covenant sacrament and regeneration the same today as it was with circumcision in the old covenant? The idea here is that since regeneration occurred separate from circumcision, then with baptism this is also so. 

Promise: God does not always regenerate people at the time of baptism. We need to pray that all who are baptized are regenerated. 

Prayer: God, is baptism and circumcision the same? I do see that regeneration did not occur at the time of circumcision, so is this true today for baptism. I do see many examples in Acts of baptism happening right after regeneration or repentance. So does this mean they are tied together like many churches teach or is separate. It still seems to me that you will save people no matter what and that salvation has not changed throughout history. But, I pray that you would continue to illuminate me and give me patience for those with different convictions. 

Acts 2:38 - Baptism and Forgiveness

Acts 2:38 - Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Message: Baptism and Forgiveness

Time: Clearly written by Luke, this book follows the lives of Peter and then Paul after Jesus' ascension into heaven. The book was completed about 62 AD as Paul sat in prison. It provides an account of the growth of the Church and spread from Jerusalem, from a small group of frightened believers in Jerusalem transformed into an empire-wide movement of people who had committed their lives to Jesus Christ, and it should help us to be bold and have zeal in our walks with God.

What the Lord is Saying: I am enjoying taking a deeper dive into these studies on baptism and its significance as a sacrament. As I have studied in the last 2 lessons -- Baptism is commanded in Scripture following conversion and it is to be instituted in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit, but the method can be any form with water over the person. Baptism has regenerated all who believe in Christ alone for salvation. For me in these studies, there needs to be a strong emphasis on baptism and its work before God in 3 persons and then being regenerated as a Called One of Christ. It is true that not everyone that is baptized will be part of the kingdom of God but this should not diminish the act of baptism. Baptism needs to be important in the life of the believer, of the person being regenerated. I think it needs to be something that each person that has made a decision to follow Christ does. In the previous lesson it speaks of how there is change in that person or a renewal. 

In today's passage it speaks of the forgiveness of sins. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith speaks of Baptism in 28.1. 

Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible church, but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of his ingrafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of his giving up unto God through Jesus Christ, to walk in the newness of life: which sacrament is, by Christ’s own appointment, to be continued in his church until the end of the world.

Thus, there remains this close relationship between a person repenting and then being baptized. Acts 2:38 states that baptism follows repentance. "Repent and be baptized..." Thus, before one is baptized they repent of their sins.  

There are places in scripture that speak of salvation into the Kingdom of God that do not speak of baptism. I understand now that this does not mean that Baptism is not necessary, but I think repentance is the first key to our lives. It is the commitment and the act to turn oneself from sin and run towards Christ. We repent and then as we do baptism assures us that God has cleansed us from our sin and forgiven us. Thus, baptism gives us confirmation of God cleansing us. 

I definitely have not thought of baptism in this way in my life. I have heard some say it is necessary for the forgiveness of sins. Yet, what it seems to be that we repent and turn from sin and then baptism confirms our forgiveness of sin. A baptized person can be a saved person, but a non-baptized person can still be a saved person and a baptized person can be an unsaved person. I am still not sure it is a requirement but it is very important and with the language about it being so prevalent in scripture, I think it is something that needs to be present in the life of every believer. It is not something to shy away from. 

For me, I believe a person can be complete in Christ following repentance but still it is a command and we need to follow through on baptism to the best of our ability, as soon as we can. I think a person can be complete because of so many instances of this in Scripture. And yet baptism needs to be present in the life of a follower of Christ.  

The Westminster Confession acknowledges that baptism can occur with an infant. I don't understand this thinking. This doesn't seem to be a valid form of baptism, but the reformers I know agree with this thinking.  

I'm still struggling with this. I also think that well Jesus has the authority to forgive sin. He forgives sin often in the Gospels. But forgiveness by people always was in the form of people acting. In the Old Testament, people would sacrifice animals. They carried out an act. In the New Testament people are baptized. And so people have this responsibility to act. As people we need to see these outward signs of our commitment to Him. But let's not get caught up in thinking that doing these acts saves people.  

Summary: People who have repented need to be baptized. It confirms their new birth to the visible church.  

Promise: The water of your baptism is God's unbreakable promise to you to forgive you when you repent. But it is the Spirit that cleanses us. God cleanses us. Baptism reminds us in a visual way to the visible church God's promise to cleanse and forgive. 

Prayer: Lord, this subject is one that I continue to struggle with in understand. Perhaps it is the way some people share it with me - with such authority that if a person is not baptized then they are not saved. And yet on the flip side I struggle with it that maybe it is too much of an afterthought. You have given us words that speak of its importance and so Lord help me to be one that confirms its practice. Right now, I'm thinking of my son-in-law Brandon and him sharing to me that he has not been baptized. Help me to encourage him in this. And continue to give me wisdom and guidance as I have future conversations about this with others. 

John 3:5 - Baptism and Regeneration

John 3:5 - Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Message: Baptism and Regeneration

Time: Throughout church history, Christians have consistently attributed this gospel to Jesus' disciple John, the brother of James, the son of Zebedee. John was one of the inner circle of Jesus' most trusted companions. It's most likely that John wrote his gospel while he was in Ephesus, and that he wrote it for an audience that lived outside Palestine, perhaps in Asia Minor. John appears to have had in mind members of a Jewish community who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but who had continued to worship in the synagogue. John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing he was to confirm the belief that Jesus was both the Christ and the Son of God

What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 3 of the Gospel of John is the "born again" chapter as Jesus speaks to Nicodemus, a Pharisee, about the works that He has been performing and Nicodemus has heard about. Nicodemus wants more information and so Jesus provides it mentioning His central message that every person must be born again and on the heels of making this statement, emphasizing the importance of being born of water and the Spirit. This is a must to enter the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is the dominion of being among the Called Ones of Christ for all eternity, on earth among the Body of Christ, and in heaven, as sealed ones for eternity with God. 

Thus, we need to emphasize always the importance of baptism. Recently, I had a conversation with a Muslim man and in the conversation as we started to examine scripture he mentioned that Muslims only recognize the Gospel of Matthew and do not recognize Luke, John, or Mark. It makes sense because as I read these words from John and how they clarify further the Gospel of Jesus Christ it seems that people would want to figure out a way to get around this type of thinking so that it would not be applicable to them. It is language that speaks of complete devotion to Jesus and Jesus alone and this is not a doctrine of Muslim teaching. 

This particular mentioning of being affected by water and the Spirit may not at the time have meant the same baptism that we see today. It is hard to say. Jesus had previously been baptized. John could be simply connecting some sort of change in a person in which water, as well as the Spirit of God, is involved. The key point is this water produces a change or regeneration. This concept of regeneration is a significant one in scripture as we see elsewhere how we are encouraged to in many ways be renewed from our birth into Adam and then into a new way of being. I studied this idea of regeneration a little over 3 years ago from Ephesians 2 and talking of being dead and then becoming alive. So it is significant here that water is spoken of by Jesus as connecting these two. 

Titus 3:5 states, "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit." Here also is this connecting of renewal through washing (water) and the Holy Spirit. We are cleansed and made new. 

There is prophecy concerning this from Ezekiel 36:25-27 -- "25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances." -- I realize now that verse 26 is a verse I have prayed for my youngest son Derek very often and I never noticed before that verse that water cleansing precedes it and really speaks of the newness that happens in a person. That newness is shown in water. The context here also refers to the metaphorical death of the Babylonian exile which again speaks of being rescued or renewed or born again. 

This concept of God created something new also occurs in Scripture to speak of a new heaven and new earth as in Isaiah 65:17, "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind" and also Revelation 21:1, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea."

Again, the idea is being made new and that is a consistent idea in scripture. And this idea here hinges on water being involved in this regeneration. 

I am impressed with these words and it makes me wonder if we really do emphasize baptism enough and its importance in speaking of this new life in Christ, before God and by the work of the Holy Spirit in our life. That is the message today, of the importance of baptism and how it needs to be a part of our process of witnessing to people and giving them the Good News of Jesus. That visible act needs to occur for the person to see in themselves and for others to see. 

Summary: Baptism has regenerated all who believe in Christ alone for salvation. 

Promise: Jesus connects the Water and the Spirit for newness of life that God produces by His Spirit. Baptism will regenerate His people and we can look to our baptism to be reminded of God's faithfulness to cleanse us from our sin. 

Prayer: O Father God, thank you for bringing home to me this message of regeneration and renewal. Life is about starting anew and afresh with you. I pray that people would recognize this, like the people we spoke to last night at the mall, Hamet, Brian, and also Carlos. I pray Lord these males would have lives that are born again and new again. May your gospel penetrate their lives. Lord, keep me on this path of regeneration continually where I am always examining me and how I need to be renewed in You. 

Ephesians 2:1-9 - The Grace of Regeneration

Ephesians 2:1-9
1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Message: The Grace of Regeneration

Time: Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians sometime in AD 60–61, around the same time he wrote Colossians and Philemon. Ephesians deals with topics at the core of being a Christian - faith and practice, no matter the situation.

What the Lord is Saying:

John Calvin comments that every part of salvation is authored by God. This includes even our decision to believe. As we grow more independent and seemingly more self-sufficient, this type of thinking that 'God does it all' is actually quite offensive to the world in which we live and naturally they resist it. It also seems to me that the Gospel or Truth is not that clearly spoken in our churches. Even in my own life, I am not sure if sharing the Gospel is a major focus of mine.

The last couple of studies that I have had on these subjects of grace have been significant. What I realized last time is man's fallen condition makes him incapable of making a choice for righteousness. Thus, our salvation is entirely about God. I still have free will and the power to choose but in relation to my salvation I don't have the means to choose salvation, thus God draws me.

I think in many ways we fear the real message of the Gospel which chooses some, but not most for salvation. That's the truth of the doctrine, but we as his followers do not who has been chosen and he still wants us to spread this gospel and speak to people.

As this passage make clear in Ephesians it is all God. Man's life is contrary to God. We are sinners. The Way of the Master presentation is significant because it takes a moment to do something simple and radical for this day and age - it helps people see that they are sinners. And sinners need God to intervene and save them.

Ephesians 2 presents tough words about the condition of man:

• Dead in your sins
• Lived in the lust of our flesh
• Indulging the desires of the flesh and mind
• By nature children of wrath
• even as the rest

This is the condition of man. And this condition makes us incapable of coming out of it. Our nature is a child of wrath - our nature. We stand in opposition to God. The work of salvation is entirely God:

• Rich in mercy
• His great love
• Made us alive together with Christ
• Raised up with Him
• Seated us with Him in the heavenly places
• Saved by faith not ourselves
• It is the gift of God

The shift from man's condition to seated in the heavenly places is entirely God. I think this is why the diagram of the expanse between man and God and that Jesus provides the bridge is a good one because it shows that this big jump from lawlessness to righteousness is significant. It is a huge leap that man cannot make on his own. Yet, man is still a person made in the image of God. Man is not necessarily incapable of acts of righteousness. But, practicing acts of righteousness and being declared righteous are two very different things. I think we have this naturally tendency (and it is growing) to think that our practicing acts of righteousness will at some point merit salvation. I have heard people say and I have even thought that the sins I have committed in the past are not sins today. I am getting better, but getting better still doesn't mean salvation is in our grasps.

So people will do good things. They will show compassion to the poor and needy. They will restore homes and give to those in need. We have a country that is very aware of those that are hurting and helps them. But we cannot think that all of these good deeds makes us deserving at some point of salvation. This is contrary to our world-based thinking that hard work results in a reward. Most certainly giving to others yields the result of making us feel good about ourselves and that we have in a small part helped out a person in need.

The part we have in all of this is seen as having faith - For by grace you have been saved through faith. Yet, it would seem that regeneration and being made new has already happened at that point and the declaration by us of faith is a formality.

Promise: God is God and man is man. The two are separate entities. Man in his condition is fallen and that fallen condition is incapable of making the jump to being declared righteous. Man sinned and became like God, but this does not mean that gaining the tree of life was not of his own doing. God needs to make this happen.

Prayer: O God my Father, thank you for saving me. It is all you. None of it is me. My works are filthy rags in your eyes. You are rich in mercy and have great love and have made me alive together with Christ. You have raised me up with Jesus and I am seated with Him in the heavenly places. That is a done deal. You see me as completely accepted as completely loved and completely in Christ. Thus, in your eyes my position in the heavenly places is a done deal. Thank you God for saving me. I will never understand it and never should I.


Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of April is about salvation by grace alone. March was about the sovereign providence of God; February was about the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January is about the doctrine of God.